"Open-Clothes" is a community started in 2000 by Japanese fashion enthusiasts who wanted to decentralize the fashion process. The community allows tailors to find business partners and showcase their creations, while potential buyers can scrutinize, comment and purchase the garnment online. Customers can contact producers directly and order items of clothing "made to measure."

Offline, the community holds events like exchange or study meetings, factory inspections, clothes exhibitions, etc. About 4,500 people are members of the community where everybody can participate for free and without any obligation.

"Open-Clothes" supports the entire value-creation chain in fashion making and provides new opportunities for small companies who would otherwise find it too difficult to survive in the wake of globalization.

Open-Clothes received Awards of Distinction at the 2004 Ars Electronica.

Régine Debatty blogs on Near Near Future and Smart Mobs.